Expanding healthcare in Zambia

International Development Minister Ben Macpherson has announced a package of support to assist Zambia in developing their Emergency Medical Service (EMS) and improving patient care.

£50,000 is being invested in supporting the Scottish Ambulance Service to work with the Zambian health authorities. They will carry out an in-depth assessment of the current Emergency Medical Service in Central Province, and work with the authorities in Zambia to develop a plan for improving outcomes and saving lives by improving areas such as emergency response, patient transfer, and the identification of required medical supplies and equipment.

This new funding will form part of the enhanced international development programme that the Scottish Government has been building in Zambia, one of its partner countries, since 2017.

Making the announcement at the NHS Scotland Global Citizenship National Conference in Edinburgh, Mr Macpherson said:

“I’m very pleased that we’re able to provide further support to improve healthcare and Emergency Medical Services in Zambia, through the NHS Scotland Global Citizenship Programme. This support will be delivered with partners in Zambia to help strengthen capacity, improve patient care and save lives.

“Partners in Zambia have identified Emergency Medical Services as a priority for development, and I’m glad that Scotland, as a good global citizen, is able to respond to this request with focused, professional support. This investment and collaboration will strengthen the capacity in Zambia to respond to medical emergencies, help save lives and contribute to long-term, sustainable development.”

Lead consultant paramedic of the Scottish Ambulance Service, Paul Gowens said:

“This is a hugely exciting announcement and I am absolutely delighted to be involved in this project.

“This innovative work with colleagues in Zambia as they develop their country’s Emergency Medical Service will have a huge impact on the people of Zambia and its healthcare system. Improving patient care and its emergency response service are critical to the country.

“This funding from the Scottish Government is important to improving the lives of communities in Zambia and I thank them for allowing me the chance to be part of this. I look forward to working with our partners in Zambia.”

Background

In 2017, the Scottish Government announced the successful applicants under its competitive Zambia Development Programme Funding Round 2017, with £6,289,536 being awarded to 6 projects between 2017 and 2022. The projects, ranging across themes of health, education and agriculture, are being delivered by Scotland-based organisations in partnership with local partners in Central Province, Zambia.

Since publishing its new Strategy in December 2016, the Scottish Government also now maintains a Capacity Building funding stream to disburse its International Development Fund, enabling it to match and enable support where a need for particular institutional assistance and skills sharing has been identified by a partner country. This enables the Scottish Government to better support partnership links between institutions in Scotland and its partner countries and between institutions within its partner countries